One system for all

The Swiss health care system is based on a compulsory health insurance scheme for every resident of the country.

The compulsory health insurance scheme (also known as basic insurance) guarantees access to high quality care and a large array of services that is identical for every person covered (without restriction due to a person’s state of health and in accordance with a tariff of identical charges for people covered by the same insurer). There are a large number of health insurers offering different rates, but the basic services are identical.

The compulsory scheme is supplemented by complementary, optional insurance. This covers special needs (semi-private or private care in hospital) or additional services (care provided by naturopaths, dental treatment, etc.). The size of the premium normally depends on the risk that the policyholder represents for the health insurer.